The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-04-07

my case, because l had been led to be.
lieve that the prisoner would be held
anyhow, as he was wanted for other
crimes, and big reward had been OF.
Tered for him. was told, however,
that in Yucatan a prisoner when he
demands a trial, must be tried or re-
leased inside of twelve hours. In order
to hold him, therefore, the San Pablo
authorities had to make the most OF
my evidence.
The ALL; business worried the
old alcAde not little. The
three witnesses who swore to meet.
ing Francisco on the afternoon before
were reputable men. On the other
hand l was stranger and an Ameri-
can. Several times during the day l
was recalled to the stand and examin-
ed and cross.examined. The utmost
courtesy characterized the exanina.
ton, but it had latitude that would
not have been permitted in an Ameri-
can court. Frequently q spectator
would interrupt with question. or
make a suggestion to the alcade. Once
Francisco remarked that he was tired,
and would take it as q favor if the
court would hurry up!
Towards the close of the day saw q
man on the outskirts of the spectators
whose face and manner attracted my
attention. He was the very image OF
Francisco, the prisoner.
changed my position so as to get
a better view. The resemblance was
wonderfully striking. The man was
just Francisco's age, height, size and
complexion. His sombrero shaded
his right temple and prevented me
from seeing whether it bore the pecul-
lar scar which disigured the robber.
His costume was the same as Fran
cisco's, but, as nearly everybody wore
homespun of the same color and pat.
tern, this didn't excite my surprise.
III he has the scar" l muttered,
''he could pass anywhere for Francis.
co. 1t would be impossible to tell
them apart"
Naturally began to understand the
alibi. The men who swore that they
saw the highwayman twenty miles
away from the scene Of his crime at
the very moment ne was tying my
hands, might honestly be mistaken.
They had seen this mysterious stran-
ger. But they had sworn to the scar.
Could it be possible that the stran.
gers face bore such a mark?
determined to edge my way to him
in the crowd and accidentally knock
of his sombrero in order to look for
the fiery crescent.
When l reached that side of the
building the man was gone. l made
every effort to find. him, but finally
gave it up. He had either left the
room or had shifted his position, keep
ing other persons between us so as to
screen him from my view.
AS it was growing dark. four tallow
candles were lighted, but the gloomy
stone walls made the room look al
most as dark as ever.
was wondering what would be the
outcome of the case, when the lights
were suddenly blown out.
alguazil. "Order in the palace OF JUS
tice!'
The candles were re-lighted, and then
was beheld such scene as has rarely
ever been beheld in court room or
anywhere else.
In front of the alcalde's bench stood
two scar-faced men as much alike as
two brown peas!
''Merciful saints!" calculated an al
quail. DO l see double, or are there
two Franciscos?''
ut is the work of the devil" sue-
gested a pious old man, as he crossed
himself,
My friend, the old alcalde, put on
his spectacles, and looked sharply at
the two men.
"Francisco" he called.
Each of the two men gave g. jerk of
his head, and answered to the name.
LET the American senor take tho
stand," ordered the alcalde:
In response to the questions put to
me l admitted that could not poiut
out the real Francisco.
Three witnesses called to establish
the alibi were recalled. They shared
my bewilderment, and could throw no
light upon the case.
The alcalde scratched his head.
Then he touched one of the doubles
with his cane.
"You, now," he said, "what is your
name?"
francisco" was the reply.
Your residence and occupation?"
IL have none. l am travelling
about"
The alcalde turned to the other man.
What is your name?'
"Francisco."
"Your residence and occupation?"
II have none. am travelling
about"
The same answer, delivered in the
very voice and manner of the first
double.
Seeing the alcalde's embarrassment,
| went to him and suggested that he
imprison both men until the matter
could be looked into.
II cannot do it," he said. Zone is
innocent. If imprison him I shall
lose my place. Besides, the twelve
hours will soon expire, and without
satisfactory evidence I must turn
both loose"
limited that it was all II put-up
Job. that Francisco probably had q
twin brother, who had arranged it to
have the lights blown out, and had
then in the darkness made his way to
the prisoners side, thus confusing
matters with the intention of evading
justice.
1T matters not" said the alcalde.
1.-TWO men cannot be arrested, tried
and imprisoned on a warrant against
one, nor can a warrant be issued
against two, when it is known that
only one is guilty. No, senior, it is a
hardship, doubtless, but it is better to
disappoint justice than to do injus-
tice."
Then raising his head he said:
1.-THE prisoners are discharged"
Silently the crowd divided, leaving
q broad pathway.
Down the aisle walked the Francis
cos. Each wore the same scornful smile.
Each gave the same wicked look out
Of his black eyes. Each made the
same low bow to the court, and when
thew yoaaco6 mo oofioo1 %hok %ho ro<1